Grab a tea or a coffee, because this post is a long one thanks to a great day in Winnipeg, Manitoba!
Good Morning Winnipeg!!! Great start to day 9, Cousin was working from home for the morning. Chris and Moose slept in while Bowie and I got up and played with the kids, the fluffy white cat Kiki and Willow the half husky with the biggest, cutest ears! Who also likes to rub your leg, hand or foot with her paw so you have to pay attention to her. While cousin was working he was even making breaky for everyone (egg sandwiches with sausage, ham, tomatoes and cheese). When he was finished work, we all got ready and headed out for our tour of Winnipeg.
The Forks:
First, The Forks. I was unsure what to expect, maybe a little market by the river…NOPE. A massive 2 story indoor market with food vendors and shops alike. With an expansive outdoor grounds that extends out along the river boardwalk. A gem of a place for Winnipeg. These aren’t just restaurants or fooderies, these are top notch culinary delights. As well as fun shops to explore, many that you won’t find anywhere else. There was families and tourists like us, but also the regulars. People just chillin on the couches in the lounge upstairs. Stroller groups of Moms, getting coffees. Others who came for a beer, oh did I forget to say that. Yes a full beer and wine bar open amongst all the other vendors.
A unique meeting place for all.
We shopped and browsed every store in The Forks. Took the elevator to the very top and had a panoramic view of the whole locale. We went on a walk about down to the dock just steps away from the market on the Assiniboine River. Now, it’s not called the forks because of the amazing food vendors. To find out more, our group hopped on a river tour with Captain Guy. Our first historical stop on the tour was at the legislative building. Here our Captain directed our attention to the statue of Louis Riel, the founder of Manitoba. Riel was an advocate of the Métis for their land and rights and led 2 rebellions before being hanged for treason. Capt. Guy spoke passionately and warmly of the “Father of Manitoba”. He also discussed ‘The Golden Boy’ who stands atop the legislative building. The Golden Boy is modelled after the Roman god, Mercury. In one hand he holds high a flame; to represent the youth who are the future of Manitoba. In his other hand a bushel of wheat; to represent the fruits of labour. The Captain sped us away to many historic places along the rivers. One of my favourite stops was the ‘Esplande Riel’, which crosses the Red River. A foot-passenger bridge that was once a restaurant, unsuccessfully due to NO PARKING in the very cold Winnipeg winters. It is now an IT building. Note: The Red River got its name by an explorer for its reddish-brown colour.
OK, so did you put two and two…rivers together? Yes you got it. The Forks got its name for where the 2 rivers meet: The Assiniboine River and The Red River, in the heart of Winnipeg. Indigenous Elders have said Winnipeg meant “muddy-waters” for how the water appeared when the two rivers met. Both rivers were used as a means of transport, trade and politics for many Indigenous nations and later European fur traders. We all soaked up the sun, the easy breeze and the history until we returned to the dock.
After our tour finished, we walked along the river boardwalk and fed geese and ducks. Moose was one with the goose, hand feeding some corn to one in particular…until it pecked him. We explored the grounds and the Oodena Celebration Circle, a way to view constellations with the naked eye during certain times of the year. Cousin had a quick appointment at lunch time, so we found ourselves at Wienerpeg. Home of the most incredible hotdogs with fun and tasty home made toppings (the Scandinavian for me, the Wienerpeg for Moose and Poutine for Bowie). There is so much to learn and see at The Forks. I highly recommend a visit should you find yourself in Winnipeg, I would spend most weekdays or weekends there on the regular if that was in my backyard.
Assiniboine Park:
Our next stop of the day was to Assiniboine Park, a name that took me half the day to pronounce correctly. Google Maps kept rerouting us to Assiniboine Forrest, attached to the park, but about 10 minutes away from where we were trying to go! So, after getting lost twice and running from an ambulance, we finally found our way to the main parking lot. We met with Cousin and Girlfriend at The Pavilion with all the kids. We wandered the art gallery, which had a Winnie the Pooh exhibit going on. Most of the kids didn’t realize that Winnie was a real bear and that all the stories were inspired by him originally.
There are a lot of attractions at Assiniboine Park, including a zoo, which we decided to forgo today. But we did enjoy the Nature Playground. All the kids needed to run, play and stretch after a busy day at The Forks. We began to walk the grounds, all while enjoying the geese and catching up. The park is very active and lively. Bike riders, runners, walkers and those out for a stroll just like us. We walked and talked with a temporary leave of the park for a surprise. Cousin directed us all across the bridge and across the street to Sargent Sundae. An ice cream store that has been hard a work since 1984 and doesn’t need anything other than its name to attract eager customers. While we all read the menu and ordered, at least 10 people had arrived ahead of us and again after us in a 10 minute period. Whatever your ice cream fancy is, they have it: floats, sundaes, flurries, soft cones, hard cones, malts, milkshakes…and so much more! Sargent Sundae is a Winnipeg staple. Make sure to get in line, it will be worth the wait.
With ice cream in hand we walked back across the bridge and through the forest path over to the English Garden. This had to be my favourite part of the park. Lush garden beds with flashes of colour everywhere. As you follow the brick pathways you find yourself alongside the dense garden beds with blooms and grasses galore. Keep to the paths and you will come across fountains and the cottage. There are many statues in the gardens, including the Queen Victoria Monument which was donated to the City of Winnipeg for her diamond jubilee and relocated to the gardens in the 1960’s. Our final pass through the park was to the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, some of which made Bowie blush. The sculpture garden is met with a large pond full of lily pads and sculptures in every corner, very serene.
We made our way back to the cars. All the kids opted to go with Girlfriend. Chris and I drove…alone…for the first time in a week!!! Back at home we had a quick dinner, then headed outside for an evening fire pit complete with a marshmallow roast!
Winnipeg! What a great day.
Cheers xo Mel.
Winnipeg adventures sound fantastic.